Here are some guidelines from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on how to prepare for an evacuation in the event of brush fires. You can download their booklet on wildfire preparation and evacuation here.

Your goal for protection

EVACUATE: When a brush fire threatens your area, the best action to protect yourself and your family is to evacuate early to avoid being trapped. If there is smoke, drive carefully because visibility may be reduced. Keep your headlights on and watch for other vehicles and fleeing wildlife or livestock.

DEFENSIBLE SPACE AND FIRE-RESISTANT MATERIALS: Your goal now, before a fire happens, is to make your home or business and the surrounding area more resistant to catching fire and burning. This means reducing the amount of material that can burn easily in and around your home or business by clearing away debris and other flammable materials, and using fire-resistant materials for landscaping and construction.

INSURANCE: Review your homeowners or renters insurance policy to ensure that you have adequate coverage for your property and personal belongings.

Nancy Neal, 53, outside her daughter's home on 32nd Avenue North, recalls Thursday afternoon when she heard the news a brush fire was headed towards her home Friday, April 21, 2017 in Golden Gate Estates. ÒI had no idea if we had a house to come back to; if I had any stuff left,Ó said Neal. ÒIÕm so thankful this morning. Unbelievable.Ó Luke Franke/Naples Daily News

Nancy Neal's dogs Opal, left, and Bear, play outside her home on 32nd Avenue North Friday, April 21, 2017 in Golden Gate Estates. ÒI had no idea if we had a house to come back to; if I had any stuff left,Ó said Neal. ÒIÕm so thankful this morning. Unbelievable.Ó Luke Franke/Naples Daily News

Nancy Neal, 53, outside her daughter's home on 32nd Avenue North, recalls Thursday afternoon when she heard the news a brush fire was headed towards her home Friday, April 21, 2017 in Golden Gate Estates. ÒI had no idea if we had a house to come back to; if I had any stuff left,Ó said Neal. ÒIÕm so thankful this morning. Unbelievable.Ó Luke Franke/Naples Daily News

Smoke rises from the charred areas off of Frangipani Avenue in Golden Gate Estates from the two brush fires that have grown to more than 1,600 acres on Friday, April 21, 2017. Katie Klann/Naples Daily News

Smoke settles as cattle graze on Dove Tree Street, just off of Frangipani Avenue in Golden Gate Estates. The two brush fires have grown to more than 1,600 acres on Friday, April 21, 2017. Katie Klann/Naples Daily News

A hot spot continues to burn on Dove Tree Street, just off of Frangipani Avenue in Golden Gate Estates where the two brush fires have grown to more than 1,600 acres on Friday, April 21, 2017. Katie Klann/Naples Daily News

Smoke rises from the charred areas on Dove Tree Street, just off of Frangipani Avenue in Golden Gate Estates. The two brush fires have grown to more than 1,600 acres on Friday, April 21, 2017. Katie Klann/Naples Daily News

Smoke rises from the charred areas on Dove Tree Street, just off of Frangipani Avenue in Golden Gate Estates. The two brush fires have grown to more than 1,600 acres on Friday, April 21, 2017. Katie Klann/Naples Daily News

Volunteers with the Shy Wolf Sanctuary Education & Experience Center in Golden Gate Estates work together to evacuate the animals as the fire moves northwest on Friday, April 21, 2017. The volunteers are evacuating roughly 60 animals, including wolves, a bobcat and a Florida panther. Katie Klann/Naples Daily News

Volunteers with the Shy Wolf Sanctuary Education & Experience Center in Golden Gate Estates work together to evacuate Taavi as the fire moves northwest on Friday, April 21, 2017. The volunteers are evacuating roughly 60 animals, including wolves, a bobcat and a Florida panther. Katie Klann/Naples Daily News

Lori Beasley with the Shy Wolf Sanctuary Education & Experience Center in Golden Gate Estates sits in her car with Treasure as the fire moves northwest on Friday, April 21, 2017. The volunteers are evacuating roughly 60 animals, including wolves, a bobcat and a Florida panther. Katie Klann/Naples Daily News

Volunteers with the Shy Wolf Sanctuary Education & Experience Center in Golden Gate Estates try to help Hopa into a cage to evacuate as the fire moves northwest on Friday, April 21, 2017. The volunteers are evacuating roughly 60 animals, including wolves, a bobcat and a Florida panther. Katie Klann/Naples Daily News

Volunteers with the Shy Wolf Sanctuary Education & Experience Center in Golden Gate Estates try to help Hopa into a cage to evacuate as the fire moves northwest on Friday, April 21, 2017. The volunteers are evacuating roughly 60 animals, including wolves, a bobcat and a Florida panther. Katie Klann/Naples Daily News

Volunteers with the Shy Wolf Sanctuary Education & Experience Center in Golden Gate Estates try to help Hopa into a cage to evacuate as the fire moves northwest on Friday, April 21, 2017. The volunteers are evacuating roughly 60 animals, including wolves, a bobcat and a Florida panther. Katie Klann/Naples Daily News

Volunteers with the Shy Wolf Sanctuary Education & Experience Center in Golden Gate Estates work together to evacuate the animals as the fire moves northwest on Friday, April 21, 2017. Katie Klann/Naples Daily News

Volunteers with the Shy Wolf Sanctuary Education & Experience Center in Golden Gate Estates work together to evacuate the animals as the fire moves northwest on Friday, April 21, 2017. Katie Klann/Naples Daily News

Volunteers with the Shy Wolf Sanctuary Education & Experience Center in Golden Gate Estates move Raven into a vehicle for evacuation as the fire moves northwest on Friday, April 21, 2017. The volunteers are evacuating roughly 60 animals, including wolves, a bobcat and a Florida panther. Katie Klann/Naples Daily News

Volunteers with the Shy Wolf Sanctuary Education & Experience Center in Golden Gate Estates try to help Hopa into a cage to evacuate as the fire moves northwest on Friday, April 21, 2017. The volunteers are evacuating roughly 60 animals, including wolves, a bobcat and a Florida panther. Katie Klann/Naples Daily News

Flames begin to appear as two residents, who asked to not be named, inspect the field adjacent to their home at the end of Hancock Hammock Road as the brush fire moves westward toward their property Friday, April 21, 2017, in Golden Gate Estates. Luke Franke/Naples Daily News

Paul Nicodemi douses his home along 23rd Street Southwest as plumes of smoke begin to appear to the south as a massive brush fire sweeps across the Golden Gate Estates driving residents from their homes Friday, April 21, 2017. Luke Franke/Naples Daily News

If trapped in a vehicle or outdoors

Researchers are examining guidance to provide the best advice for last resort actions if you are trapped in a vehicle or outdoors. If you are in a vehicle, base your decision to stay in the vehicle or to take cover outside on your specific circumstances, including your distance from the fire, the direction of the fire, whether there is fuel (e.g., brush and trees) near your vehicle, and the potential for rescue. Try to stay away from fuel sources; stay in a rocky area or roadway, or near a water source. Stay low to reduce the effects of heat and smoke, breathe through cloth to avoid inhaling smoke, and cover yourself with a wool blanket or coat, or even dirt. If you are trapped by the fire, immediately call 911, if possible, to provide your location and explain your situation.